Wed Sep 25 06:31:44 UTC 2024: ## Malayalam Actor Siddique Absconding After Rape Case Bail Rejection

**Kochi, Kerala:** Malayalam actor Siddique is currently absconding after the Kerala High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a rape case. The police have issued a lookout circular at all airports to prevent him from leaving the country.

Siddique’s phone, which was switched off since Tuesday, was briefly activated on Wednesday. While Manorama News attempted to contact him, the call was immediately disconnected. He is believed to be in hiding until the Supreme Court, where he is appealing the High Court decision, takes up the case.

The survivor and the state government have filed a plea opposing Siddique’s appeal in the Supreme Court. The survivor has criticized the police for failing to monitor Siddique despite knowing his bail was likely to be rejected.

The Museum Police in Thiruvananthapuram registered a case against Siddique based on a complaint filed by a young female actor, who alleged he raped her at the Mascot Hotel on January 28, 2016, after a preview show of the movie ‘Sukhamayirikatte’. The complaint was lodged after the release of the Hema Committee report, which highlighted violence against women in the Malayalam film industry.

With the bail rejection, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is expected to arrest Siddique for interrogation. He faces charges of rape and criminal intimidation.

Following the allegations, Siddique resigned from his position as General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). He has denied the accusations, claiming they are part of a conspiracy against him.

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